Massaging device



April 23, 1929- y M. E. GxAcoPAzzl 1,710,051

MASSMING DEVICE Filed March-1, 1927 ML'. G acopa/ Paemea Apr. 23, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

M110 E. GIACOPAZZI, 0F BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

v MASSAGING DEVICE.

Application led March 1, 1927. Serial No. 171,879.

My invention relates to a massaging device and is characterized by the provision of a rotatable frame carrying on spaced parallel shafts a plurality of staggered relatively narrow rolls or disks which act to knead and thoroughly massage the surface which they engage as the frame is rotated.

More particularly my invention contemplates the provision of a motor drive for effecting a fast spinning of the disk bearing frame.

A further object is to associate with the device a means for applying heat, preferably in the form of an electric resistance, so that the massaging device may be effective as a flesh reducing means.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a compact, relatively inexpensive electric motor driven massage and reducing device which can be conveniently grasped and manipulated with one hand.

My invention further'comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts, which in their preferred embodiments only are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which Fig. 1-is a plan view; and

Fig. 2 is a side view of my invention, the latter view being broken away in cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated, I show the apparatus as comprising a yoke-like frame having side arms 3 in which I journal a tubular shaft 4 carrying washers 5 fast near its ends to hold it in position in the frame and `having fast on one overhung end a pulley 6 adapted to be driven by a belt 7 from a pulley 8 on the shaft 9 of a motor 10. The motor is enclosed in a jacket 11 to which the frame 3 is `suitably connected, the motor having a base 12 which is secured at the forward end of a handle 13. rThe base of the jacket 11 is mounted by a collar 14 on the handle and the motor base is connected thereto by screws 15 and the motor jacket is connected thereto by screws 16. The handle 13 is provided with a longitudinal central opening through which electric conductors 17 lead to the motor 10 and current is also taken from these leads by means of conductors 18 that enter theopen ends of the shaft 4 and lead to 4a resistance coil 19 disposed within the hollow shaft 4.

Betweenthe washers 5 on the shaft 4 I mount a spider which is fast on the shaft and rotatable therewith and comprises end disks 20 connected by four bolts or rods 21, on each of which I assemble a plurality of disks 22 and spacer sleeves 23, the disks being arranged in staggered relation on the several rods 21,. as 1s shown more clearly in Fig. 1. These disks are of the relatively narrow flat tread type and are slightly less in width than the standard spacing between disks.

In operation, vhaving supplied current to the motor 10, t-he .latter will rotate the disk bearmg frame rapidly, permitting the successive transverse rows of disks, as they engage the iiesh, `to alternately press it and re-A lease 1 t with a kneading actlon and this takes place 1n the presence .of heat supplied by the resistance in the shaft. The escape of heat end wise through the hollow shaft 4 is checked by insulation plugs 24 fitted in the open ends of the shaft and having apertures for the passage of the conductor wires 18. These p lugs engage a thin shell of insulation 25 fitting snugly within the hollow shaft 4.

I t will be noted that any suitable electric resistance may be employed and that, should 1t be desired, any conventional switch means may be employed for cutting it into and out j of service independently of the motor drive. The apparatus produces a rapidly vibrating and kncading effect accompanied by heat and will'thus provide a mosteffective massaging and reducing appliance.y

Though I have described with great particularity the details of the embodiment of the invention herein shown, it is not to be construed that I am limited thereto, as changes in arrangement and substitution of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is z- 1. A massaging device comprising a liandle having electric conductors extending therethrough, an electric motor mounted on the handle and connected to said conductors,

a rack bearing frame rigidly mounted be yond the motor, a rack journaled in the frame, a plurality of parallel shafts carried by the rack, means to rotate the rack by a drive from the motor, and a plurality of massaging elements mounted on each of the shafts, the elements on adjacent shafts being in staggered relation.

2. A massaging device comprising a handle, an eleotriomotor, a rack bearing frame rigidly mounted on the handle, a rack journaled in the frame on an axis transverse to the axis of the handle, a plurality of parallel shafts carried by the rack, means to rotate therack by a drive from the motor, and a plurality of massaging elements mounted on each ofthe shafts, the elements on adjacent shafts being in staggered relation.

MILO E. GIACOPAZZI. 

